[Migrated, see pinned post] Casual Conversation

I'm a perfect world, everybody (that physically could) would do this.

But I feel like the fact is a paid thing just makes us all potential blood for evil rich people, literally paying their meatbags to keep a supply around for when they need something. Because you know none of them have ever donated.

I'm not trying to say we shouldn't, as I've benefited several times myself, but just the idea it's paid makes me feel weird about it.

But we do live in the capitalist past of the multiverse, so it's inevitable I guess. I know people who depend on that money, too.

I have done in the past, donated 26 times, then got ill and couldn't do it for while, then the blood drive moved, and I gotta get my arse back at it.

Nope, very prone to vasovagal syncope. I tried once, went black almost immediately and spent an hour in the bus recovering. Luckily my blood type is one of the most common, so no big loss.

I used to donate blood every few months, then I needed the money so I donated Plasma twice a week for a couple years. Now I'm afraid the scarring on my veins would be too much so I try to avoid IV needles at all costs.

Generally yes, but for the past year or so I haven't made it. Got a third child, wife is a lot busy, kids got wrecked with diseases. Lots of pressure.

I have barely got a Saturday able to wake up rested lately. So even though I generally want to, I haven't had the time/energy and I generally forget if I do since sleeping an extra hour sounds like a dream.

Hopefully I can make it during Easter vacations where I can get relatives to babysit for a while.

If you can you should. If you're healthy giving a pint of blood is not going to be much of a bother. Eat a good meal before hand and then have some of the snacks provided afterwards. Even if your blood isn't suitable for transfusion it can be used for research.

I always felt good after I donated.

I actually donate a lot, bout every two months for whole blood. I do it all the time so afterwards I feel no difference, maybe a sore arm if the phlebotomist wasn’t the best. If you go in with an empty stomach you might feel crappy and if you go in dehydrated they’ll struggle getting the blood… and you’ll feel pretty crappy.

I do it mostly for the civic duty of it all. Better to help when you can imo. Also there is a ton of data about donating blood being good for you. I’ve seen articles on it helping remove micro plastics and PFAS chemicals from the body. So hey, might as well

I recently found out the blood bank has an office near my favourite bar. So I'm going to give blood before a few beers and see how I go. Should be a cheap night.

Donation also reduces plastic in your blood so there is a health benefits to you as well as to others